Graduated from Ava High School Leland M. Warden, 85, was lovingly welcomed into Heaven on Dec. 1, 2006.
Leland was born Nov. 24, 1921 in Silverton, Mo. He was the eldest of seven children born to Mark and Hattie (Hicks) Warden. He graduated from Ava High School and attended Southwest Bible School in Bolivar.
He relocated to Richland, Wash. In the 1940s he served honorable in the U.S. Air Force. Upon discharge from the service, he returned to Richland, Wash., and worked for Hanford Atomic Works in several supervisory positions. Upon retiring he did much work in medical research, etc., about Parkinson’s Disease, of which he was afflicted. He wanted to help others all he could.
He was the Parkinson’s Support Group leader. He was very proud to be honored with a dinner and plaque bestowing him an honorary doctorate by Drs. Lehiri and Washington. When asked about his health he liked to say, “Fine as a frog hair.”
Leland is survived by wife, Cora (Sue) of the home; two daughters, Janice (Jann) Hughes and husband, Larry, of Kent, Wash., and Karen Samuelson and husband, Scott, of Kennewick, Wash.; two granddaughters, Noell (Frank) Blavka and Bethany Samuelson; one sister, Wilma June Shaull, Springfield; and three brothers, Glenn, Hot Springs Village, Ark., Larry, Peculiar, and Norman, Sierra Vista, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, the Rev. Donald Warden, Austin, Texas, and Dwain (Pete) Warden, of Ava.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Neurological Center, in Richland, Wash.
Graveside memorial services will be held at a later date due to very serious illness in the family.
